Maruti Baleno RS Review
Car Tested: Maruti Baleno RS; Road Test No. 800; Test Location: BIC
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 10.43 lakhs
Maruti now has a turbocharged petrol hot hatch in their line-up with the Baleno RS
Maruti is stepping up their game in the Indian market and of late they have been pushing the envelope in various new dimensions. The carmaker introduced their premium NEXA brand having niche products to taste the higher end of the mass market segment. Maruti recently experimented a different design direction with the launch of the Ignis targeting millennials and now they are finally entering the performance oriented segment. Yes, we are talking about the new Baleno RS that comes with a brand new BoosterJet engine. We just drove the hot hatch at the Buddh International Circuit, testing the limits of the 1.0-litre turbo petrol motor. The RS moniker here stands for ‘Road Sport’ and we see if the first performance-centric hatch from Maruti justifies the RS badge.
Motor Quest: The Maruti Baleno was launched in India in 2015 and it is one of the top 10 selling cars in India. The Baleno RS was first shown as a concept at the 2016 Auto Expo and it generated a lot of enthusiasm and we all were eagerly waiting for it.
On the outside, it gets minor cosmetic changes from the regular Baleno
Exteriors – There are significant changes on the exterior to differentiate it with the regular Baleno. The front profile now gets a new mesh grille along with a more edgy looking bumper having a pronounced chin. On the side you will immediately notice the black alloys which look quite racy but have the same design. The A and B pillars are blacked out too while it also comes with side under body spoilers. The rear is dominated by a sporty new bumper with black inserts and the shiny new RS badge finished in blue. Yes, the Baleno RS does stand out compared to the regular model and it looks really nice in the Fire Red shade.
The interiors are exactly same as the Baleno Alpha
Interiors – You won’t notice many changes on the inside as the interiors are identical. The all black theme of the dashboard and upholstery continues. The instrument cluster is carried over having a TFT display that comes with torque and power graphics, fuel economy details, time, outside temperature, driving time, etc. The Smartplay touchscreen infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay connectivity and features such as navigation system, rear parking camera display, etc. Some of the key features include keyless entry and go with push button start, follow me home headlamps, auto AC, front centre armrest and more.
Space in the cabin is pretty decent
The Baleno RS is based on the Alpha variant of the regular Baleno
The fit and finish feels long lasting and the cabin offers good ergonomics. The seats are comfortable and there is more than enough space both at the front and for the rear passengers. All in all, from the inside, the Baleno RS feels pretty much the same. Maruti could have offered some sporty elements to differentiate such as red accents, redesigned steering wheel, sporty gear knob, aluminium pedals, etc. to differentiate the interior layout from the regular Baleno.
The BoosterJet engine loves to be revved to the redline
Performance – Powering the Baleno RS is a new 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder direct injection turbocharged petrol motor that produces 100 HP of power at 5500 RPM and 150 Nm of torque at 1700-4500 RPM. Maruti claims that the BoosterJet engine produces 20 percent more power and 30 percent more torque compared to a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine. Low end torque delivery is quite good and this means you can reduce the number of gearshifts in city traffic. The performance is peppy and quite linear. The NVH is excellent for a 3-cylinder engine. It is a free revving engine redlining at 6000 RPM. At the back straight of the BIC the Baleno RS topped at 170 km/hr in the fourth gear.
The suspension has been given a stiffer setting
Driving Dynamics – The Baleno RS has gained 60 kgs over the regular model and the carmaker has retuned the suspension making it a tad stiffer. The steering weighs up beautifully and the handling is much better than the regular Baleno. It now feels more eager to turn in and that inspires confidence at high speeds. To keep up with the performance, Maruti has got rear disc brakes to improve stopping power and the brakes really feel more effective.
The Baleno RS gets dual front airbags and ABS with EBD
Safety and After Sales Service – Maruti is offering the Baleno RS in a single variant and hence the car is loaded with top spec safety features as standard such as dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and ISOFIX child seat provision. Additionally, the Baleno RS comes with all-four discs for better stopping power. In terms of after sales, we all know that Maruti has a very renowned and wide network across the country. The NEXA channel is growing with each passing day and the ownership cost of the Baleno RS will definitely be the lowest compared to the other performance hatchbacks in this segment.
The Baleno RS has a lot going for it
Verdict – The Baleno RS is Maruti’s entry into the performance hatchback segment and this car will create quite a stir among enthusiasts. It will be retailed through the NEXA channel and being backed by Maruti’s stellar network, the Baleno RS will give a tough fight to the Abarth Punto and the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI.
It has an edge over rivals in after-sales
What’s Cool
* The Baleno RS looks sportier with the new styling bits
* The BoosterJet engine offers smooth power delivery
* Stiffer suspension means better dynamics
What’s Not So Cool
* Engine has been detuned for India
Alternatives: Volkswagen Polo GT TSI, Fiat Abarth Punto
Will you pick the Baleno RS over its rivals?